Lionel Messi returned to action for Inter Miami in their Leagues Cup match against Leon, just hours after posting an emotional tribute to his late father, Jorge Messi. Despite his appearance, Inter Miami suffered a 3-2 loss to the Mexican side, resulting in their elimination from the tournament.
Messi, who had flown back to Florida from Argentina on Tuesday night after attending his father’s funeral on Sunday, entered the match at half-time to a significant ovation. His father, Jorge, who also served as his agent, passed away last week at the age of 68.
Messi’s Emotional Return and Retirement Hint
On Wednesday morning, Messi shared a heartfelt message on social media, expressing his grief and uncertainty about his future in football. He wrote, “I don’t know what I’ll do without you, I don’t know how to go on. I just played football, and now I have serious doubts about continuing to do so for much longer.”
This sentiment was echoed in another post where he stated, “I don’t know what I’m going to do without you. I don’t know how to move forward. I only played football and now I have quite a few doubts about whether I’m going to keep doing it for much longer.”
Messi had made himself available to Inter Miami coach Guillermo Hoyos for the crucial group stage match, having missed the team’s previous loss to Monterrey on Saturday.
His teammates acknowledged the difficult circumstances. Yannick Bright, who scored one of Miami’s goals, described Messi’s return as “incredible” and highlighted the team’s desire to support their captain. Bright added, “I wasn’t expecting it. It shows how much he cares. When I saw he was here, all I was thinking about was to give my 150 percent for him.”
Brazilian teammate Casemiro, who joined Inter Miami after the World Cup, called Messi “an example for all of us” for his dedication during a challenging personal time. Leon coach Javier Gandolfi also commented on Messi’s character, stating, “Today he demonstrated once more what he’s made of. He is a human being that is different to the rest.”
Match Details and Tournament Exit
Inter Miami initially held a 1-0 lead in the match. However, two goals from Colombian player Daniel Arcila helped Leon secure a comeback victory. This result made Leon the first team to qualify for the quarterfinals of the tournament, which features clubs from MLS and LigaMx.
This elimination marks the first time Inter Miami has been knocked out in the opening phase of the Leagues Cup since the tournament expanded in 2023. Inter Miami had previously lifted the trophy in 2023, shortly after Messi joined the Florida franchise alongside Spanish players Sergio Busquets and Jordi Alba.
The club reached the 2025 final but were defeated 3-0 by the Seattle Sounders. That match was notable for a post-whistle brawl, which led to Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez being suspended for the current edition of the tournament.
Messi’s father, Jorge, had been a consistent presence throughout his son’s career, from his early days at Barcelona. The recent World Cup was the first major tournament Jorge had missed. Messi revealed that despite his declining health, his father had encouraged him to play for La Albiceleste in their attempt to defend their title, where Argentina was beaten in the final by Spain.
Messi has earned 207 caps for Argentina since his debut in August 2005. He captained the team to World Cup glory in 2022. His future in football remains uncertain following these recent events.
Reflections on a Career and Family
In his tribute, Messi reflected on his father’s unwavering support, stating, “You were by my side from the beginning; there was so little left until the end. Why couldn’t you hold on just a little longer so we could finish it together?” He also promised to honor his father’s memory through his own children, stating, “I’m going to miss you so much, but you will always be present, especially in the upbringing of my children, because I will teach them and raise them the way you raised me.”
Messi also recalled his father taking him to almost every training session after work and how he “suffered and enjoyed” watching him play. He described his father as a “father, friend, and agent,” who was always the right person at every moment. Tributes to Jorge Messi poured in from the wider sporting community, with figures such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Neymar, Luka Modrić, and Carlos Alcaraz commenting on Messi’s social media post.
Messi thanked everyone for the “affection, respect, and enormous consideration” shown to him and his family, appreciating the respect for their pain and privacy.
Source: aljazeera.com
